How much risk you want to take will help determine what type is best for your situation. The most balanced type of stock mutual fund is a Blend Fund; it combines growth and value funds to provide more security than a straight growth fund but higher average growth than a value fund. Investing in a full Growth Fund has the potential for more payout, but higher risk, while investing in a Value Fund is more stable but with lower average payout.

The Little Book of Value Investing was created in 2006.

Value investing is a method of picking stocks. Citigroup, Bank of America, KeyCorp, Comerica, SunTrust Banks, Regions Financial, and Zions Bancorp all use value investing.

Any competent stockbroker will be able to set up a growth investing portfolio for you. This term just means investing in companies that you think will grow over time, thus increasing in share price.

Proably not at this point and time. Doing any kidn of investing during this recession would not be recommended.